Eric Liedtke, adidas Group Executive Board member responsible for Global Brands, said the 3D-printed Ocean Plastic shoe midsole demonstrates how the industry can “re-think design” and contribute to stop ocean plastic pollution.

“World leaders forging an agreement is wonderful, but we shouldn’t need to be told to do the right thing. The industry can’t afford to wait for directions any longer. Together with the network of Parley for the Oceans we have started taking action and creating new sustainable materials and innovations for athletes,” Mr Liedtke said.

“The 3D-printed Ocean Plastic shoe midsole stands for how we can set new industry standards if we start questioning the reason to be of what we create. We want to bring everyone from the industry to the table and create sustainable solutions for big global problems.”

The concept shoe – which consists of an upper made with ocean plastic content, and a midsole which is 3D printed using recycled polyester and gill net content – was unveiled at a press conference anticipating a bigger event called “Parley for the Oceans x COP21 — Oceans. Climate. Life.”

“2015 is our year, the year of the Oceans: the ocean movement successfully brought the cause onto the COP21 agenda in Paris. Protecting life underwater became the 14th development goal of the United Nations,” said Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley for the Oceans.

“With a framework of political goodwill in place, it is the right moment to transform words into action. Therefore, Parley in Paris is all about updating knowledge, sharing visions, fine-tuning strategies, creating concepts and forging collaborations in order to kickstart change. We are really excited to have adidas supporting us in this journey and showing how you can take concrete steps in the right direction.”